Happy Birthday, Meghan! A Look Back at Her Very Big Year

A visual timeline of her rise from commoner to duchess.

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Published August 4, 2018

Published 10 days ago

On August 4, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, turns 37 — and what a year she's had. Last year for her birthday, her then-boyfriend Prince Harry took her on a trip to Botswana; between then and now, she's become his wife, a duchess, and a media and fashion sensation to boot. Here, a timeline of Meghan's whirlwind of fame.

Chris JacksonGOING PUBLICSeptember 25, 2017: At the Invictus Games in Toronto, Prince Harry holds "Suits" actress Meghan Markle's hand — kicking off a flurry of speculation about how serious their relationship was getting.

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Robert Alexander/Getty ImagesMEDIA ATTENTION, FOR BETTER OR WORSEOctober 2, 2017: Following the Invictus Games appearance, that Monday's British newspapers went wild with the story. But chatter about Markle's identity as a mixed-race woman got so ugly that on November 8, Prince Harry, in an unusual move for the royal family, released a statement condemning the "wave of abuse" his girlfriend was experiencing in the press.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ImagesENGAGED!November 27, 2017: The couple announce their engagement in a place special to the prince — the white garden at Kensington Palace, dedicated to his mother Diana's memory.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ImagesFLASHING THE RINGNovember 27, 2017: At the engagement announcement, Meghan shows off the bling — a band of yellow gold holding stones sourced from Botswana and from Diana's personal collection.Handout/Alexi Lubomirski via Getty ImageTHE FASHION CRITIQUES BEGINDecember 21, 2017: The couple release official engagement portraits, including one with the future duchess in a dress by Ralph & Russo. Some criticized the dress for its sheer top and high price tag ($75,000). Since then, her fashion choices have been markedly more conservative.Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesHOLIDAYS WITH THE ROYAL FAMILYChristmas Day, 2017: With Prince Harry and her future in-laws, Meghan Markle curtsies outside church service in King's Lynn, England.

WPA Pool/Getty ImagesMEETING AND GREETING THE PUBLICJanuary 9, 2018: The future royal kicked off the new year with a slew of appearances in the months leading up to her wedding, including this visit to a youth radio station in the London neighborhood of Brixton.WPA Pool/Getty ImagesIN THE SPOTLIGHTFebruary 1, 2018: Giving a hint of her philanthropical side by attending the Endeavour Fund Awards, which celebrate wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesSAYING GOODBYE TO 'SUITS'April 25, 2018: Taking on her new role meant parting with another, and on this date, the USA Network aired the season 7 finale of "Suits," the TV show that put Markle the actress on the map. In the episode, her character Rachel married Mike (Patrick J. Adams, pictured), and both actors rode off into the sunset.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesHOLDING COURT WITH THE FUTURE KINGApril 25, 2018: On the same day her final episode of "Suits" aired, Markle attended an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey with Princes Harry and William (pictured).VICTORIA JONES/AFP/Getty ImagesBY ROYAL DECREEApril 12, 2018: On display at Buckingham Palace, the Instrument of Consent — an official handwritten document that records the Queen's formal permission for Harry to marry Meghan.WPA Pool/Getty ImagesHERE COMES THE BRIDEMay 19, 2018: With the world watching, Meghan Markle, stunning in Givenchy, walks down the aisle of St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle. (Check out all the best royal wedding photos here.)

WPA Pool/Getty ImagesSEALED WITH A KISSWith the royal family behind them and their public in front, the couple pucker up for pictures.Karwai Tang/WireImageFIRST CARRIAGE RIDEThe new Duke and Duchess of Sussex wave to the crowds in the royal carriage ride after their wedding.Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImageON THE BALCONYJune 9, 2018: At Trooping the Colour, a military parade in honor of the Queen's birthday, the Duchess takes her place among the royal family.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ImagesHAT'S ALLJune 19, 2018: Stepping out in one of many gorgeous hats at the Royal Ascot horse races.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesJUST THE TWO OF USJune 14, 2018: Meghan joins the Queen for their first official joint engagement, a trip to Cheshire, England.WPA Pool/Getty ImagesPERFECTING 'THE DUCHESS SLANT'June 26, 2018: At the Queen's Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace, Meghan pulls a move dubbed by royals watchers as "the duchess slant" — a traditional way of sitting.

Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesNOT A BAD YEAR AT ALLJuly 26, 2018: As Nacho Figueras tries to hand them a trophy, the Duke and Duchess kiss after Harry's polo match.